To be in God's plan and preparation!

 Please click this link for the video version of today's blog :

https://youtu.be/8nl2N-lBaWQ?si=4io3YT-1a4qMvFWU 

Then God said to Jacob, "Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau."                                                    Genesis 35:1

These were the chiefs among Esau's descendants: The sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau: Chiefs Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, Korah, Gatam and Amalek. These were the chiefs descended from Eliphaz in Edom; they were grandsons of Adah.                                                          Genesis 36:15-16

    

    The topic I received today from Jesus is:  To be in God's plan and preparation!

      We make mistakes. We sin. But when we go back to God's place, get rid of the idols we intentionally or unintentionally worship, purify ourselves and have a real, intimate relationship with God, then even when we are under severe attack, disaster, crisis or any bad thing you can describe, we will be under His protection. And, God has His own way to deal with our situation even with our enemies, just like how he did to Jacob's enemies. 

     Once we go back into a real, daily, intimate relationship with God, God will give His children a new name, new ministries, new community, new nation(generations after generations), new fruits, new numbers, new everything! God is our Protector and Provider! 

What I read in Chapter 36 are names after names, family trees, kings after kings, people died and other succeeded. What I heard from Jesus is "Who do you think you are?  Can you be in my plan?" 

Oh, we are so small, only a name in somewhere or no name at all. Are we useless or are we useful in the eyes of the Lord?

But then the Lord led me to look at another angle. If we can have a fresh start as Jacob and be fruitful and increase in number, then our story will be totally different. By God's grace we can raise up faithful disciples and leaders for Christ and there can be names after names and a huge family tree if we are willing. We can be nobody in God's plan and waste our life. If we can enter into God's plan and preparation by faith, then the influence will be generations and generations.

You need to make a decision today. Let's us pray together.

Dear Lord Jesus,

       Thank you for being our Protector and Provider. Show us how can we be in your plan that we can raise up leaders for you and to bring up a good family tree to honour your Mighty Name. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Reflect on these questions:     

1. What inspiration have you received from today's catch and what have you heard from Jesus now?

      

    2.  What is your next step to be more closer to Jesus, to be holy - that is to do what Jesus wants you to do and not to do what Jesus wants you not to do?

    

    Family Corner:

   Find an opportunity to share with your family the importance of today's message. 

    

    Time with Abba (Psalm 10:11-15, Genesis 35:1-36:43; Matthew 12:1-21; Proverbs 3:21-26)

    Please click this link for today's Time with Abba one year Bible four passages: http://twa.pastoralcareschool.org/

     Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage we have just read. Offer this time to Jesus as you listen to Him.    

   For the Chinese version of this daily blog and video, please click this link (中文版請按此連結):

   

 F   https://timewithabbaprayinglisteningchinese.blogspot.com

     

     To know, learn and practice the method of Time with Abba, please click this link:http://twa.pastoralcareschool.org/

     If you would like to follow my "Subject shifting Devotion Method" from the "Time with Abba, Praising Singing", you are welcome to follow the direction below and then go back to the top of this blog to read today's key passage and my listening and sharing:

        Silence

1.   Put on your “brakes” and stop for a moment of silence

2.   Wait for God. Breathe deep for God's peace and feel His presence. Exhale your worries.

     Praise and Thanksgiving

1.   Think through your day, all the times that made you smile

2.   Thank God for all those moments, and for all those people

3.   Sing a song to praise the Lord

      

Confession and Repentance (Subjective Shifting Devotion Method) 

https://bishopsilas.blogspot.com/2009/08/count-down-5-subject-shifting-devotion.html

1.  Pray for the Holy Spirit to shine on you that you are able to discover your sins and be willing to repent:

     “Dear Holy Spirit, shine your light into the places of darkness in my life. Show me my sins, everything that blocks me from encountering God and having Jesus as my Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

2.  Through the Holy Spirit, examine yourself for a short silence and then pray:

     "Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for our sins and being victorious over death and sin. I confess my sins to you(pause, to tell Jesus what the Holy Spirit has shown you). Forgive my sins by your blood and help me follow you. Holy Spirit, fill me that I may be able to receive your gifts to love God and His people. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen."

3.  John Stott's daily prayer of Christlikeness (Christopher J.H. Wright, Cultivating the fruit of the Spirit. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2017, 13)

(Please click this link to see how God used John Stott to change my life:https://bishopsilas.blogspot.com/2009/07/

           "Heavenly Father, I pray that this day I may live in your presence and please you more and more.

             Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you.

             Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

 My first blog "Devotion on Fire"  was written in English only  (July 17, 2009年7月17日至November 22, 2012年11月22日). Each day one chapter of Bible, from New Testament and then Old Testament. Completed in four months and three years:

http://bishopsilas.blogspot.com/2009/07/blessings-from-rev-dr-john-stott.html

My second blog "Discipler 123"  was written in both Chinese and English (March 6,2011to December 31, 2016 ):

https://discipler123.blogspot.com/2011/02/day-1-choose-light-away-from-darkness.html

and "Time with Abba" blog and video (January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2024): 

https://discipler123.blogspot.com/2017/01/1-2017.html